Tag Archives: classic rose perfumes

I wanted to make a really rosy rose, a 1980s style scent, like a walk through a rose garden. I love my rose fragrances, and although I’ve been dabbling with rose and violet, rose and herbs and rose and vetivert, I’d wanted to take the plunge with pure rose. – Sarah McCartney

When I received my box of treats from 4160 Tuesdays last week, looking like Quality Street for grown ups, the first one I tried was Raw Silk and Red Roses. It was instant love for keeps. It is no exaggeration to say that this is one of the best rose scents I have ever smelled, and I’ve smelled A Lot.

At first spray, this smells delicate and retro, like breath sweets or rose water ( only amplified), and then I smell a bunch of my beloved violets. There are no violets, but maybe the rose breath sweets are so intrinsically linked with violet ones that I can’t help it. The sweetness is Middle Eastern aromatic- yes, I’m going to say Turkish Delight, without sugariness, and that’s a compliment because I love that too. However Raw Silk and Red Roses then drops its veils one by one. There’s peppery geranium to add a little oomph. There’s peach and plum,( don’t panic peach-dodgers, its great) and vintage musk.

However, what I got was an almost creamy almondy hint, that makes this a proper grown up lady perfume to me. The patchouli and musk gives this a real clout that showcases the rose and makes it the star.

It makes me feel like I should put my pearls on and make witty retorts. It makes me feel that to wear scruffy clothes whilst wearing it would be rude. If this had been available ten years ago when I got married, I would have worn it on my wedding day.

Longevity is great- at the end of the day I was catching little whiffs as I got comfy on the sofa in the evening ( in my pearls, whilst making witty retorts). When I wear it, I feel like showing off. That’s good enough for me.

Sarah, please don’t stop making it. I’ll be wearing this for a very long time. Superb. I’m calling it a classic.

Stockists

All 4160 Tuesdays scents are available online and a selection is available from Escentual and in store at Fortnum and Masons. The 4160 Tuesdays postal service is excellent. They send it to you like its your birthday.